Frustrations over dog poop being left at Calgary’s Nose Hill Park

Some Calgarians are expressing frustration about a rise in dog poop being littered throughout Nose Hill Park.

The large park in northwest Calgary features a plethora of walking trails with breathtaking views of the city, but lately, some parkgoers say something else is taking their breath away, and not in a good away.

Taking their frustrations online, some residents report dog poop can be seen and smelt throughout the park, and those who frequent the trails say they’re getting fed up.

“Yes the dog feces is definitely an issue,” says one parkgoer who regularly walks her dog in the park. “People just don’t pick up. Being a dog walker though, I’m always picking up.”

Another says certain areas of Nose Hill Park are worse than others.

“In the really busy areas by Shaganappi Trail, there’s definitely way more.”

The city has put up signs throughout the park reminding trail users to clean up after their dogs, or else face fines.

In a statement to CityNews, the city says “park staff and contractors do litter clean-up in all our park and natural areas; however because of the size of our natural areas (of which Nose Hill Park is one) we relay on a partnership with park user to do the right thing.”

Many of the park users say it shouldn’t be up to the city to clean up after a few irresponsible dog owners.

However, one dog owner says he feels some are making a stink because they simply don’t like dogs using the park.

“There are people that don’t like dogs, and I get that, but if you’re going to have a dog park, you have to expect to have dogs,” he says. “So, there are places where dogs aren’t supposed to be, and they can walk there.”

The fine for failing to clean up after your dog in Calgary is $500.